Felicity – Age 80

“Since retiring I like being able to make my own time table. I went back to Uzbekistan to see it properly, because when I was nursing there I was far too busy. When starting out in life, I would say that your social skills are as important as your training and talents.”

My basic training was as a nurse and then a midwife, then a health visitor and then for the department of health. I liked working out what needed doing and finding a solution. I was sent to one of the London guild halls for a lunch as ‘nurse of the year’. It was scary because I was the only nurse in full uniform and every one else came in evening dress. For someone starting out in this profession, I would say that your social skills are every bit as important as your talents and training.

I like being able to make my own timetable now, I have a much wider area of choice. I went back to Uzbekistan where I had worked as a nurse for the WHO, I liked seeing it properly because when I was working there as a nurse I was too busy. I work as a volunteer now for Macmillan as an information and support officer and I’m treasurer of this organisation, I walk a lot too. When my grandchildren’s dog leaps up he’s pleased to see an old lady and get some peace and quiet.